These groups include: 

Youth for Environmental Action - Students passionate about environmental justice and interested in taking action to address our changing climate.  

Youth Artists Taking Action - Youth artists of all disciplines interested in using their art to address social and environmental justice and create societal change.

Youth Empowerment through Technology & Innovation - Youth examining the role of technology in education, promoting ethical and responsible use, and working together to explore innovative solutions to real-world challenges.  

Youth Mental Health Leadership Council - Youth driven to break stigmas, promote wellness and increase mental health resources on their campuses. 

Multilingual Youth Taking Action - Multilingual students inspired to be future leaders and create a welcoming and supportive environment for peers of all backgrounds. 

Queer and Trans Youth Council - LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies called to serve and support their community through advocacy, activism and inclusion. 

Countywide Black Student Union - Black students interested in building a network of support and solidarity that fights for equity and promotes cultural pride and awareness.

Interested in joining the Alliance? Just fill out a short interest form by clicking on the button below. The only eligibility requirement is to be a student enrolled at any high school within Santa Cruz county—public, private or charter! 

Starting in the fall of the 2024/25 school year, YLLA will be implementing a new weekly meeting structure. All groups will now meet on Tuesdays from 4:00-5:15pm at all 8 comprehensive high school campuses throughout the county. A different YLLA advisor will facilitate the meeting in a designated classroom on each campus. All sites will then be connected in real time via Zoom. This will allow any student no matter where they go to school to access our YLLA meetings from their home campus or the campus closest to them. Students will have to bring their school issued Chromebooks to participate. If you do not have a Chromebook, please contact Andres Ortiz to set up an alternate arrangement. Weekly YLLA meetings will be hosted on Tuesdays at the following campuses: 

YLLA Meeting Locations

• Watsonville High School - Rm. TBD with Andres Ortiz

• Pajaro Valley High School - Rm. TBD with Marisol Lopez

• Aptos High School - Rm. TBD with TBA

• Soquel High School - Rm. TBD with DJ Williams

• Harbor High School - Rm. TBD with Stephanie Sumarna

• Santa Cruz High School - Rm. TBD with Audrey Sirota

• Scotts Valley High School - Rm. TBD with Rob Darrow

• San Lorenzo Valley High School - Rm. TBD with Amity Sandage

* Our orientation and first meeting of the 2024-25 school year will be on Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 11am-2pm at Seabright State Beach/Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History (1305 E Cliff Dr. Santa Cruz, CA 95062). At this meeting we will confirm the weekly meeting times and locations for all groups. We will also take part in a beach cleanup facilitated by Save Our Shores!

Weekly Meetings - Tuesdays from 4:00-5:15pm, at all comprehensive high school campuses in Santa Cruz county (hybrid model)

YLLA Monthly Meetings - Generally the third Saturday of the month 11am-2pm with the other YLLA groups (In person only):

• September 21st - Seabright State Beach/Museum of Natural History, 1305 E Cliff Dr. Santa Cruz, CA

• October 19th - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley  Freedom, CA

• November 16th - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St.  Santa Cruz, CA

• February 1st - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley  Freedom, CA

• March 15th - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St.  Santa Cruz, CA

• April 19th - Sequoia High Schools, 229 Green Valley  Freedom, CA

• May 17th - County Office of Education, 400 Encinal St.  Santa Cruz, CA